Top 20 Best Animated Movie Cameos

“Toy Story 3” (2010) As we follow the adventures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear across the “Toy Story” franchise, we get to see a wide variety of classic toys on screen. From Barbie to Etch A Sketch, there’s bound to be a toy you’re familiar with somewhere. One of the more unusual cameos is the appearance of a Totoro plushie in the third installment. This magical forest spirit is from the Studio Ghibli film, "My Neighbor Totoro". It’s a hugely popular character in Japan, and its cameo in a Pixar flick might be because of a fun family connection. Turns out the art director of “Toy Story 3” is married to the niece of Hayao Miyazaki, the writer and director of the iconic Japanese animated film.

“Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers” (2022) Since this film is based on a well-loved animated TV series, it’s full of nostalgic cartoon cameos. While racing through a convention, Chip and Dale hide at the feet of the still feuding He-Man and Skeletor. If you stick through the film’s credits, Darkwing Duck shows up to make a pitch for his own live-action film. But perhaps the most surprising cameo is the inclusion of Randy Marsh from “South Park”. While investigating a bathhouse, the chipmunks catch a glimpse of Stan’s dad. Considering Randy’s hot-tub experience on his own show, we’re glad he stuck to the sauna for this surprise appearance.

“Aladdin” (1992) Part of the fun of watching Disney is finding the cameos made by characters from their other films. Since “The Little Mermaid” rejuvenated the Disney animation studio, it’s no wonder that a character from that movie would pop up in its next big hit, “Aladdin”. The Genie’s fondness for magical impressions and pop culture references makes it easy to bring an ocean character to a desert story. When Aladdin asks his magical servant to make him a king, Genie jokingly produces a recipe book. The page for "Alaskan King Crab" opens the door for a brief visit from Ariel’s friend, Sebastian, accompanied by a few notes of his signature song.

“Ratchet & Clank” (2016) Based on the video game series, this sci-fi comedy follows a misfit duo as they help save planets from destruction. When Clank tries to scan Ratchet to figure out what species he is, a number of possibilities pop up on his screen. One of those is the “ottsel”, Daxter, from the “Jak & Daxter” video game series. Both of these franchises are from Sony Entertainment and the duo has made a number of small cameos in various “Ratchet & Clank” video games. It was a fun nod to fans to bring Daxter into the film as well.

“Cars 3” (2009) In this third installment of the “Cars” franchise, Lightning McQueen finds himself becoming obsolete as he faces a new generation of racers. This film was a treat for NASCAR fans, because so many of their racing favorites cruised in for a cameo. Darrell Waltrip, Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty, who made appearances in the previous “Cars” films, reappear for this final installment. Petty’s son, Kyle also joined in the fun. But why stop there? The movie also included cameos from Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, Daniel Suárez, and Ryan Blaney, who all took on automotive avatars and had their motorized moment.

#15: Steven Spielberg

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“We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story'” (1993) Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” ramped up pop culture’s obsession with dinosaurs back in the early 90’s. Spielberg’s own Amblimation studio hoped to catch a ride on the film’s T-Rex tails with this family-friendly, time-traveling adventure. Unfortunately, the savage live-action dinos were much more popular than their singing animated counterparts, and the movie flopped at the box-office. Although its reception was lackluster, the film did provide a fun cameo. When the dinosaurs make a musical appearance at a parade, the spectators eventually panic. In the crowd, there is a dead-ringer for Spielberg himself. As he runs for his life, you can see him wearing a hat for Amblimation studio.

#14: Sid Phillips

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“Coco” (2017) In “Toy Story”, Sid Phillips was the toy-torturing next door neighbor of Woody’s owner, Andy. In the third film, a long-haired, older Sid is seen working as a garbage collector. We know it’s him because of the distinctive skull T-shirt he still wears. That’s also how you can recognize him during his supposedly brief appearance in “Coco”. After traveling to the Land of the Dead, Miguel enters a talent competition to get the attention of the famous Ernesto. One of his fellow competitors is a skeletal musician wearing that black shirt with the white skull that we know so well.

“The Incredibles” (2004) Right from the earliest days of Disney studios, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston were part of the animating team. From “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” in 1937 through “The Fox and the Hound” in 1981, they both contributed to the creation of some of animation’s most beloved characters. The two were part of Disney’s Nine Old Men, and so their cameo in “The Incredibles” is an absolute blast. When the Parr family and Frozone defeat Syndrome’s Omnidroid, the crowd hails them as heroes. To one side, two older gentlemen, who are the spitting image of the animators, make some on-point comments about the superiority of going old school.

“Hercules” (1997) During his rise to fame, Hercules faced many destructive beasts – one of these beasts included the Nemean Lion. To celebrate his victory, he poses for a painting, wearing the skin of said lion ...but if you look closer, that pelt seems awfully familiar, doesn’t it? That’s right; it’s none other than our favorite two-faced feline – Scar from The Lion King. Remember Zazu’s snarky comment about what Mufasa should do with Scar? Looks like after Scar’s death, someone at Disney decided to make good use out of his remains. It’s a hilarious Easter egg… plus it’s nice to see that Scar has found a new calling!

#11: Old-Aged Harley Quinn

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“Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker” (2000) Based on the animated series “Batman Beyond,” this film set a new Jokerz gang against Bruce Wayne’s protege, Terry McGinnis. However, old rivalries return as Bruce suspects that Joker isn’t as dead as he’d been led to believe. Another presumed deceased villain also shows up in a great cameo at the end of the film. The Dee Dee twins, members of the Jokerz Gang who were apprehended, are bailed out of jail by their grandma. Fans were delighted to see an elderly, but still spry, Harley Quinn enter their jail cell. Despite what was considered a fatal fall, the still sassy Quinn survived to raise a couple of grandkids.

“Frozen” (2013) For the first time in forever, the doors to the castle are opening for Elsa’s coronation, and everyone is going to be there… including two unexpected guests. If you look closely when Anna’s singing her tune, you’ll notice the backs of what looks like Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from Tangled. It would seem that after their wedding, the pair traveled all the way from Corona to celebrate Elsa becoming a queen. Nathan Greno, the co-director of Tangled, was caught off-guard by their cameo as well -later receiving confirmation that it was really them by someone behind the scenes. Unexpected, sure, but this is hardly the strangest cameo Disney has pulled off involving these films.

#9: Captain Jack Skellington

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“James and the Giant Peach” (1996) Jack Skellington has quite the impressive resume – first the Pumpkin King, and later... a pirate captain? When Mr. Centipede dives down into a sunken shipwreck to find a compass, he comes face-to-face with the swashbuckling Pumpkin King. Unfortunately for Centipede, Jack isn’t giving up his compass without a fight - so he and his undead crew prepare to exterminate the thieving invertebrate. Miss Spider and James come to rescue Centipede, and while Jack puts up a good fight, he’s no match for a bug with eight legs. While the scene may have been short, it was still a real treat to see the Pumpkin King in pirate garb –enough of a treat to inspire Pirate Jack merchandise.

“Finding Dory” (2016) Any fish that swims into Morro Bay, California is greeted with the comforting voice of Sigourney Weaver welcoming them to the Marine Life Institute. To the fish and various aquatic creatures, she’s a friendly presence; but to everyone else, she’s simply a recording booming throughout the institute –sometimes at the most unexpected moments. In a way, it all fits –Weaver’s had experience in narrating nature documentaries, and has worked with Pixar before in Wall-E; but the idea remains an admittedly random one. It originated as a joke idea that the director thought would never make it into the final product …until it did!

#7: Tom Hanks

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“The Simpsons Movie” (2007) No, we’re not talking about Otm Shank this time; we’re talking about the genuine article – Tom Hanks. A corrupt environmental agent has plans for Springfield –more specifically, a plan to wipe it off the map! He produces a commercial revealing his plan to blow it up and turn it into a second Grand Canyon, and Tom Hanks himself is the whimsical narrator for the ad. What makes this particular cameo so hilarious is that given Tom Hanks’ reputation as the “nicest guy in Hollywood,” no one would expect him to go along with something THIS crooked! Then again, maybe that’s what makes him the perfect fit; you can get away with almost anything if you have the right endorsement.

“Sausage Party” (2016) Sausage Party has some pretty… colorful musical moments; but this one really takes the cake. After the dispute over the “Great Beyond” forces Frank and Brenda to break up, we cut to a sad, suggestive montage set to the tune of Meat Loaf’s “I'd Do Anything for Love.” The kicker is that it actually features Meat Loaf …AS a singing meatloaf –facial structure and all. They don’t even try to hide that it’s him, as they later have him spoofing his “Bat Out of Hell” album cover. It’s a seriously bizarre tribute to a great musician, but hey, Meat Loaf is willing to do just about anything for love …so why not do this?

#5: All the Nintendo Characters

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“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (2023) After the less-than-stellar live-action film from the 90’s, Nintendo waited 30 years to give the silver screen another shot at the Super Mario Bros. The creators of the new film made fans happy by sticking to the original feel of the games. They also included as many Nintendo cameos as possible. If you’re checking out the guests at Bowser’s wedding, you’ll see King Boo and King Bob-omb. A pack of Yoshis can also be seen running through the Mushroom Kingdom, and an egg makes an unexpected return in the credits. Truly devoted fans may also have pinpointed the voice of Charles Martinet. He voiced the original Mario and Luigi in the games, and played their father and a man named Giuseppe in the film.

#4: Stan Lee (A Bunch)

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“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018) A Marvel movie - even an animated one - is incomplete without a Stan Lee appearance; just look at his reveal as Fred’s superhero father in “Big Hero 6.” Stan Lee once again lent his voice to a cartoon depiction in 2018’s “Into the Spider-Verse,” and pops up several times. It’s hard to miss Miles getting a pep talk from Stan the salesman, but he can also be seen walking over him when Miles is having a decidedly… grounded moment, and again on a train as Miles thwips by. Lee additionally voices J. Jonah Jameson in that hysterical post-credits scene. Considering Stan Lee passed away just a month before the film’s release, getting to see the Spider-Man co-creator for even just a fleeting few moments was a welcome sight.

#3: Bugs Bunny & Mickey Mouse

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“Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988) Mickey Mouse has a history of finding his way into Disney movies – be it in the form of his silhouette in the background, or sneaking his way into a song. But appearing alongside Looney Tunes legend, Bugs Bunny? That’s an iconic moment.The toons are parachuting together in Toontown, when private detective Eddie Valiant drops in, hoping they have a spare; Mickey is more friendly, while Bugs is a bit of a stinker. Not the most expected meet-up to be sure, but having these two animated idols together on-screen is representative of the major components of Who Framed Roger Rabbit – toons from different animation studios coming together to entertain and make us smile.

#2: Various Historical & Pop Culture Figures

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“The Lego Movie” franchise (2014-) The whole LEGO universe was handmade by elite builders dubbed ‘Master Builders.’ The Master Builders consists of some of the greatest artists, heroes, pop cultural and historical icons of all-time in minifigure form. These include –but are not limited to- Batman, the Justice League, William Shakespeare, Abe Lincoln, the Statue of Liberty, Shaquille O'Neal –voiced by himself - even the Star Wars clan gets into the act. Though they’re some of the greatest figures in history, they all sadly struggle to recognize the true hero of this story, the admittedly ordinary Emmet. And that’s just the first film! Batman’s LEGO movie stepped things up a notch, and The Lego Movie sequel took things further with the likes of Scooby Doo’s Velma, Bruce Willis, a couple of professional basketball players, and even some friendly faces from the first movie!

#1: Video Game & Disney Properties Galore

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“Wreck-It Ralph” franchise (2012-) 2012’s “Wreck-It Ralph” knocked it out of the park with exciting, entertaining storytelling and enough video game references to make a superfan’s head spin. We were treated to the crossover to end all crossovers - at least we THOUGHT - in the Bad-Anon support group sequence. You want Clyde, the Pac-Man ghost? Sonic the Hedgehog’s Dr. Robotnik? Super Mario Bros.’ Bowser? Street Fighter's Zangief and M. Bison? Yup, all there. But then the 2018 sequel happened, and reminded everyone that Disney owns EVERYTHING we love. At the Oh My Disney pavilion on the Internet, you can spot Iron Man, Buzz Lightyear, Kermit, R2-D2, and even super-niche characters like Humphrey the Bear and the Ranger. That’s not even counting those epic Disney princess scenes. Oh, right, AND a Stan Lee cameo. Seriously, watch this movie at half-speed.